Powerful earthquakes devastate Venezuela

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, with a magnitude seven point two tremor followed seconds later by a seven point five quake near the coastal town of Morón, roughly one hundred miles west of Caracas. The U.S. Geological Survey issued a red alert, warning that the shaking would likely trigger high casualties and extensive damage across the country. Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a State of Emergency and urged citizens to stay alert and calm. The United States is mobilizing disaster assistance teams, search and rescue personnel, medical supplies, and humanitarian resources to support Venezuelan communities, according to Jeremy Lewin, the State Department's under secretary for foreign assistance.

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